The couple went public with the romance at the beginning of November (16), and following the reveal, Harry issued a statement condemning the way the media and the public was reacting to the story, and attacking the young American.

Rumours suggested Prince William disapproved of the public statement, but he is now denying the reports.

"The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him," a spokesperson for Kensington Palace says.

In the rare statement, Prince Harry's communications secretary implored the press to stop harassing Markle, revealing the royal was concerned for the 35-year-old actress' safety.

"His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment," the statement read. "Some of this has been very public - the smear on the front page of a national newspaper, the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.

"Some of it has been hidden from the public - the nightly legal battle to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get her to the front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life," it continued.

"He has asked for this statement to be issued in the hopes that those in the press who have been driving this story can pause and reflect before any further damage is done. He knows that it is unusual to issue a statement like this, but hopes that fair-minded people will understand why he felt it necessary to speak publicly."